BattlefieldsFrench Raid on Brighton 1514
Tudor

French Raid on Brighton 1514

1514
Sussex, England
Also known as: Burning of Brighthelmstone 1514 · French raid Brighton 1514
Era
Tudor
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Sussex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Brighton fishing community
Forces
Brighton militia c.50-150
VS
Victor
French raiders
Forces
French raiders c.200-500
Outcome
French galleys raid and burn the fishing village of Brighthelmstone; local defenders overwhelmed before militia can muster
The Battle

History & Significance

The burning of Brighton in 1514 prompted the construction of coastal artillery blockhouses and was a formative event in the development of Henrician coastal defences.

Casualties & Losses

Several inhabitants killed; village burned

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Sussex

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Sussex